The illusion of progress

Old Sol’s having to fight his way through a lot of haze this morning. The residue of patriotic zeal, most likely. I’m not seeing it in the western sky, so I’m guessing someone between here and Harper managed to set the world on fire with a Chinese firework, or Chinese-manufactured US flag waving in the wrong dry grass. But the Far Departments in this part of Texas know how to deal with such things and likely they’re used to them.

Incidently, for those interested, the Invader Cat turns out not to be defunct. Re-emerged a couple of days ago l0oking sleek and fat, minus the damaged eye and skull on that side. Treating himself as though he’s part of the program here.

Meanwhile, Tabby’s still refusing to enter the RV, though she’s being sociable enough, otherwise. I picked up some more un-flavored Chinese sardines at Dollar Tree in Kerrville early in the week figuring to try luring her into accustoming herself to it. If that doesn’t succeed, I’ll have to resort to starvation as the next instrument of persuasion.

It’s time I began feeding them all in there, anyway, if only to encourage the Invader Cat to go back where it is someone’s feeding him.

Went to the laundry in Kerrville while I was in town, which was novel and uplifting. Nice way to get clothes clean, when you think about it. Sat around in there watching the odor of unwashed clothing being replaced by a white tornado turned sideways. Listened to people discuss how hot it is, how dry it is, and got a bit of reading done.

Went around to the various oil-change and lube people and found the ones with the best deals for oil changes and lubes at the moment have doors too low to allow the RV inside. Even WalMart. But there are a couple of the QuickLube, JiffyLube types of places I haven’t tried yet.

Before I left here I loaded up the RV with belongings to be taken to storage in Harper, which is the illusion of progress I mentioned at the beginning. I’ll have a number more of those trips before I hit the road.

Swung by one of the side streets lured by a sign, “FRESH PEACHES” while I was in Harper and ended talking chickens to the lady selling them. Nice coming across someone who likes chickens as much as I do.

There’s an old RV behind a house near Harper about the same vintage as this one, looks as though it hasn’t been moved in years. I looked at it through binoculars to see whether the ladder was intact [the one on this one’s going to have to be replaced], then knocked a while at the door. Finally left a note asking whether they’d be interested in selling the ladder.

If they get back in touch with me there’s another item or two I might also be able to buy off that one…. another piece of the illusion of progress.

But sometimes progress manages to be just marching in place. I’m hearing from Rich and Jeanne that the hot and dry out west is severe enough to justify stalling until something breaks with the heat and moisture. New Mexico and Arizona are either in the process of burning, or getting ready to burn. I’m not crazy about putting the kinds of stresses on the tires and drive-train going across pavement hot enough to fry an egg on will provide.

Your RV is really cool! That is what I am looking for. What kind is it and how much would it set me back if I got a good deal on one? I’m not kidding. I loved the VW bus and this is about a 1,000 miles ahead of that. How is it for gas? I have a lot of traveling that needs to be done, but with 8 cats and more on the way, Dunno. I wouldn’t try to take them all along, maybe.

Grey Lady is getting bigger and bigger. The Dr said it won’t be too long. She sure has an appetite. Maybe she is eating for 7 or more. Yikes! If they are all real cute and call me Grandpa I’ll be in trouble. Faith keeps mentioning taking her to a shelter, but I Kind of like her now. Rats! But 15 or so cats would be a stretch. My good friend Pete has more than that and the biggest cats I have ever seen and I thought some of mine were big. Just regular alley variety, but so big! I’d leave a pix but don’t know how or if that is permissible.

Where are you going in your motor home? I haven’t been keeping up with your blog due to time constraints. b(And for a retired person: No excuses.

Finally got the crate off my new lawn mower but haven’t gotten it off the skid yet or the seat and steering wheel on. A little kid came by today and asked me if I want to sell the old one. I poor mouthed it and said the starter was probably burned out, but he said he has a line on parts and will rebuild it and sell it or race it. If this kid is 14 years old, I’d be surprised, but I saw him motoring near the church the other day on a really nice mower pulling a platform wagon that looked like business. He is a real wheeler dealer. He has been after me to give him yard work too. He said he would clean my gutters!!! Can you imagine that with about a 30 to 40 ft roof? He told me he has about 8 lawn jobs that he cuts when they get long. He scares me with all that energy. He may end up as Mayor or a state representative or at least legally rich.

Hi Chuck. If you shop around some I’d guess you can find something to your liking. Craigslist is a good start. Especially in the sort of urban area you’re in. But I just found this one by keeping my ears open and one of them to the ground. As for the cats, I’ll be saying more about all that soon. Gracias, J

My Lawn Mower is a Model Series 780 Lawn Tractor. They don’t even have the cutsie brand name on the Operating Manual. They are by MTD and have Briggs & Stratton engines. I hear they are all built in the same place in Wisconsin (who knows where the parts are made.) Looks nice if I ever get it together and going. The grass is so long I am about to go after it with the push mower, old man or not.

Again, what is the brand of the motor Home you got. I have to find a place that has them. I don’t see them on the side of the road. Mileage (mpg’s)?
I want to escape!!!! We want to go back to NM asap. We keep going to a state park in Indiana. We don’t hike but just read and eat. Doesn’t sound very exciting. Usually end up missing the cats and other critters. From the window it looks like they really cleaned up last night.

1978 Holiday Rambler, Chuck. Econoline frame. The gas mileage will presumably vary. If you wanted better mileage you’d look at a Toyota with a 22R engine. Some of those are out there and good. Good luck on all that. Jack

I suppose we have to suffer our illusions in life. The hardest part is usually the disillusionment, but even that is bearable when we knew it was an illusion to begin with… wishing you joyous adventure this summer.

Welcome

I’m sharing it with you because there’s almost no likelihood you’ll believe it. This lunatic asylum I call my life has so many unexpected twists and turns I won’t even try to guess where it’s going. I’d suggest you try to find some laughs here. You won’t find wisdom. Good luck.